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Politics

AIF’s Florida H2O Coalition Launches Online Platforms for Water Policy Reform

January 7, 2015 - 6:00pm

Associated Industries of Floridas H2O Coalition announced today it has launched a new website and social media center to help Floridians stay abreast of the latest information on lawmakers' efforts to adopt a comprehensive plan for water in Florida.

This session, leaders in Tallahassee are planning to make decisions on the future of Floridas water supply that will impact the quality and quantity of our drinking water for many generations to come, Tom Feeney, president and CEO of AIF, said in a written statement making the announcement. AIF is providing everyone with a stake in advocating for the availability of a safe supply of water with the opportunity to have their voices heard.

On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott underscored the need for a more sensible water policy. In his inaugural address, Scott said, Investments in our infrastructure must be partnered with environmental improvements to ensure we keep Florida beautiful.

The H2O Coalitions website will feature news, policy statements, data, and tools for users to contact elected officials this upcoming legislative session. Users can access the H2O Coalitions website starting today, Thursday, at FloridaH2OCoalition.org and follow updates via Twitter and Facebook, according to the AIF statement.

Launched in 2014, the Florida H2O Coalition is comprised of stakeholders interested in water quantity and quality issues in Florida with the goal of making recommendations on state and federal water laws and rules impacting Florida.

During this upcoming legislative session, the coalition plans to advocate for the following key elements to be incorporated into legislation or funding directives to address Floridas water quality and quantity issues:

  • Sustainability: Through alternative water supply projects, provide adequate water for all existing and future uses by growing the water supply available for use by people, businesses, and the environment.
  • Funding: Provide an annual and recurring source of state funding for alternative water supply projects as part of a regularly updated state plan.
  • Innovation: Support and fund innovative solutions, such as water farming and using public-private partnerships to recharge the aquifer.
  • Sound science: Water supply planning and solutions to water quality problems should be based on the best science for that particular site or problem.
  • Incentives: Where water conservation is feasible, create incentives for water conservation that will allow people and businesses to use the methods most effective for them.
  • Regional differences: Address unique regional needs.

Recent estimates from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have revealed the need for Florida to use a water policy that promotes sustainability and accounts for Floridas future growth.

According to the estimates, Florida has a need for an additional 1.3 billion gallons of water per day by 2030 to accommodate a population of almost 24 million.

Additionally, the three largest water management districts predict a shortfall of 250 million gallons per day in groundwater by 2035 in the area just south of Orlando, and a need for 34 percent more water in 2035 is predicted in Northeast Florida.

Similarly, South Florida faces an anticipated increase of 25 percent in overall demand by 2030.

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